Speech & Debate (PK-5th)

Speech Learners (PreK-K)

In this course, students will be engaged in a number of speaking activities and verbal word games that will help them begin their understanding of forming complete thoughts and ideas. Students can expect to be challenged with follow-up questions, forming their own opinions, coming up with original ideas, and recalling lessons as the class progresses. This class is crafted specifically with your children in mind -- this means teachers are tailoring the lessons to not only meet class goals, but to meet the students’ individual learning needs. Students will enjoy the variety of activities this class has to offer all while learning and practicing their new public speaking skills. This class is crucial for introducing students to valuable lessons that are not offered in their weekly curriculum, but required for success in the academic setting. Here are some of the skills and lessons your student will learn.

• Introduction to Public Speaking: Getting Comfortable in Front of a Crowd
• How to Introduce Yourself: Articulation (Speaking Clearly)
• Foundations of Show-and-Tell
• Adjectives: Brainstorming Details
• Elements of Storytelling

• Self-Introductions: Eye contact, Stance, & Volume
• Show-and-Tell: Handling & Using Props
• Presenting to an Audience
• Introduction to Extemporaneous Speaking
• Storytelling in Detail: Using Emotion & Tone

Public Speaking / Speech I (1st-2nd)

Students in this class focus on introductory public speaking. By becoming familiar with different forms of public speaking, the students will be able to have the opportunity to gain real experience speaking in front of the teacher as well as their classmates. Beginning with Informative and Persuasive Speaking, students will begin to build a plan for giving a speech, face the common fears of speaking, and move on to more limited preparation styles of speaking. Students will also begin to focus on current event topics and become familiar with the world around them and their place in it.

Speech II (3rd-5th)

Students begin this level by reviewing the structure they learned in level I. From there, students begin learning how to speak to actuate real world action among their listeners. As they move towards more advanced public speaking topics and current events issues, students will be able to integrate research into their public speaking by learning how to interpret evidence and use it to drive their messages. As they prepare to move on to the debate classes, students will become familiar with the basic elements of argumentation and the structure of speaking with a purpose.

Debate II (3rd-5th)

In iLearn’s Debate course, students will focus on the fundamentals of public speaking, articulation, research, grammar, reading, writing, and research skill-building. The course will focus on teaching students the format of competitive debate, and consider the policy, value, and fact trichotomy. Students will begin with common debate topics that have proven timeless, and move towards a more nuanced understanding of critical implications of governmental actions, and how those implications function in a competitive debate. As they prepare for the next level, students will begin to learn how to tailor their messages to different audiences for the most successful student outcomes.